King Charles & Queen Camilla's Favorite Books, Ranked By Reviews

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If King Charles and Queen Camilla had the time, we're certain they could discuss all their favorite books, as the idiom goes, 'til the cows come home. Naturally, we're here to rank their preferred literature based on reviews, making our way from the lowest-rated to the highest. In the 2026 documentary "The Book that Changed My Life," Camilla listed a number of beloved historical novels; Charles, on the other hand, loves a good biography (via Daily Mail). 

Good news: if you don't have cable and/or aren't the biggest fan of TV, Charles and Camilla's favorite books can also be discovered through The Queen's Reading Room. Officially launched in 2021 (it initially started as an Instagram book club), the main purpose of Camilla's charity is to promote literacy worldwide — and so far, we must say that those behind it seem to be doing a good job. Since a handful of books are recommended each season, we can't possibly highlight every single one that's been featured thus far. That said, we hope you take a trip to your local library (or Amazon cart) after browsing through these honorable mentions.

Does the name Tom Parker Bowles sound familiar? Well, it should: he's Queen Camilla's son. We could discuss where Bowles stands with the royal family and point out that this selection might be rooted in favoritism, but in the spirit of objectiveness, we will save that for a different day.

Released in 2006, Bowles documents his global culinary adventures in "The Year of Eating Dangerously" — if you like watching Anthony Bourdain's "No Reservations," you might want to check this book out. As the title suggests, Bowles documents consuming unique foods across Europe, Asia, and North America. 

"I'd started reading this book some three months ago but it took me three tries to finish it, aggravated as I was by Parker Bowles' exaggerated style of writing and blustering bravado," a reader on Goodreads wrote in 2008. Despite the book's modest rating, this person concluded, "The main problem with Parker Bowles is that he tries too hard."

It doesn't matter who someone is or where they come from: anyone can write a memoir if they've got something interesting enough to share. For instance, actress and dancer Maddie Ziegler wrote a memoir (when she was a teenager, FYI). Who was Martha Gellhorn, you may ask? A renowned war journalist and Ernest Hemingway's third wife – that's who. 

Gellhorn describes five of the most life-changing and challenging journeys she's ever undertaken in "Travels with Myself and Another." Published in 1979, the memoir highlights her misadventures in China during the Sino-Japanese War and the Caribbean during World War II, as well as her travels through the USSR, around the Red Sea, and across Africa.

"She writes honestly, self-effacingly, and candidly. Not a sentence is out of place or boring," a Goodreads user gushed in 2010. "I am filled with an itch to travel after reading this wonderful book, and a quite separate itch to get my hands on the rest of Gellhorn's writing. Highly recommended for everyone."

"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times ..." became one of the most-quoted literary openings. But seriously, it's nearly impossible to find anyone who's never heard of "A Tale of Two Cities" by Charles Dickens (1859). Long story short, the historical fiction novel follows a group of characters as their lives collide during the French Revolution. 

Queen Camilla discussed many novels throughout "The Book That Changed My Life," including this Dickens classic. She expressed amazement at its portrayal of the French Revolution, summarizing, "Those ghastly women sitting there knitting while everybody had their heads chopped off" (via Morning Honey). 

"A Tale of Two Cities" may not be the easiest read, but it is one of the highest-regarded. "I finished 'A Tale of Two Cities' about two weeks ago, yet I'm still not over the ending," a Goodreads user wrote in 2019. "Dickens might write long sentences, he might take his time until everything gets into motion but damn, he certainly knows how to deliver a punch line!"

Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein" is another literary classic almost everyone reads in school at some point (although if you skim it on Wikipedia or SparkNotes, we won't judge). Originally published in 1818 — when Shelley was only 20 years old — this Gothic science-fiction novel introduces scientist Victor Frankenstein, the monster he creates, and all the chaos that follows. 

"Although ['Frankenstein'] is one of my favourite novels, and in my opinion one of the finest pieces of fiction ever written, I find myself with a new appreciation of the text every time I come to it," one Goodreads user wrote in 2014. "There is so much to take from this book and there's so much that be taken apart, scrutinised and then put back together again."

Shelley's work has been brought to life dozens of times over the years. You may not recognize the real-life partners of Netflix's "Frankenstein" cast, but you've probably heard of Guillermo del Toro's 2025 film adaptation. 

How would you rank classic Disney animated movies from worst to best? If "101 Dalmatians" is near the top of your list, you can thank Dodie Smith for writing the novel behind it. Before Smith put a bunch of adorable puppies in one room, she wrote her debut novel, "I Capture the Castle," in 1948. The coming-of-age story follows Cassandra Mortmain and her family as they live in genteel poverty. 

For fans of Jane Austen — who, don't worry, will certainly be featured here — "I Capture the Castle" may be right up your alley. After all, "This book will charm the pants off you," one Goodreads user asserted in 2008. "It's what would happen if an early-twentieth-century Jane Austen were to grow up in a dilapidated castle and get into financial trouble."

A film adaptation was released in 2003, starring Romola Garai as Cassandra. It also features Rose Byrne (Rose Mortmain), Bill Nighy (James Mortmain), and Henry Cavill (Stephen Colley). 

For a designated children's book, Anna Sewell's "Black Beauty" sure knows how to tug at the heartstrings. Published in 1877, the novel introduces readers to the thoughts and feelings of Black Beauty, a horse who goes from living large to a life of cruelty. This was Sewell's first and only book, as she died several months after its release. 

"Although the story is focused on horses, it teaches the world in general the need to be kind, considerate and sympathetic toward all animals," a Goodreads user explained in their 2017 review. "I've heard that some say this book is unsuitable for children ... I'm no psychologist and cannot account for its truth, but I think this should be read by children."

Queen Camilla visited the Anna Sewell House, the author's birthplace, in July 2023. "I think because [Camilla] loves the book so much and she's got a genuine interest in horses, there's a really lovely connection there," Nicola Knight of the Redwings Horse Sanctuary told the BBC. 

Despite its title, 2008's "The Secret Life of Bees" is not actually about bees or their secrets — the insects do make a good plot device, though. Set in the American South during the 1960s, Sue Monk Kidd's novel revolves around a white teenager, Lily, and her Black mother figure, Rosaleen. Lily and Rosaleen escape their harsh home life, eventually seeking refuge with three Black sisters, all of whom are beekeepers. 

"Everyone on the planet knows what it's like to have–or need–a mother in their lives. I've read very few books with such [fantastic], simple imagery and accessible symbolism," one Goodreads user complimented in 2008. "I wish I underlined all my favorite metaphors in the book...It's books like these that make me want to write."

Queen Camilla recommended "The Secret Life of Bees" in 2023, a monumental achievement for Kidd. "I am honored and beyond grateful that The Secret Life of Bees has been selected by Her Majesty Queen Camilla for Season 11 of The Queen's Reading Room," the author wrote on Instagram in celebration.

If "Black Beauty" fancies your interest, Michael Morpurgo's "War Horse" should be next on your reading list. Published in 1982, this children's novel shares a few similar characteristics: it follows the life of a red bay horse named Joey, who is sold and forced to experience the horrors of World War I. A lesser-known sequel, "Farm Boy," was released in 1997.

Queen Camilla is clearly a big fan of "War Horse," considering that she's talked about it several times over the years. In 2012, for instance, she told actor Jeremy Irvine, "I loved 'War Horse'. I've seen the play and I've seen the film. I cried from the beginning to end of both" (via Huffington Post). 

"Small Books can often leave big impressions and this is the case with War Horse by Michael Morpurgo," a Goodreads user wrote in their 2012 review. "This is not a novel with a complicated plot or twists and turns but a beautiful story simply told and I find sometimes these can be the best." They also highlighted another Morpurgo novel that fans may want to check out: "Private Peaceful."

William Blacker's "Along the Enchanted Way: A Story of Love and Life in Romania" — often shortened to "Along the Enchanted Way: A Romanian Story" — revolves around exactly what you'd expect: his adventures in the country. Blacker's memoir, released in 2009, documents his years in Northern Romania. He lived there full time from 1996 to 2004, although he first visited in 1989 after the Berlin Wall fell. 

"What a lovely book. Stylistically, William Blacker is not a great writer, but he makes up for any lack in that department with his obvious love for rural Romania," one Goodreads user wrote in 2010 (a backhanded compliment, maybe, but a positive remark nonetheless). "I was moved to tears at the end. Highly recommended."

Side note: King Charles actually has a documented interest in Romania and its Transylvania region. He was a patron of the Mihai Eminescu Trust for 13 years, an organization focused on restoring historic buildings. Charles also owns two properties in Transylvania; one of them, The Viscri House, is in a UNESCO World Heritage village. 

Where do we begin with Victor Hugo's 1859 "Les Misérables"? We could spend all day talking about this book, so don't be surprised it made the list — if anything, be amazed it doesn't rank higher. Set in early 19th-century France through the June Rebellion of 1832, this masterpiece mainly concerns Jean Valjean, an ex-convict seeking redemption after spending 19 years in prison. 

"Let's say that I could choose a single book with the guarantee that every man, woman, and child would read it. I would choose this one," a Goodreads user stated in 2010. "Reading [Hugo's] sentences brings to mind a dance, an endless waltz, to a symphony that builds and builds to a final crescendo."

Queen Camilla visited Hauteville House in July 2024, where Hugo wrote "Les Misérables" while exiled from France. Hugo resided there in Guernsey, a part of the Channel Islands, from 1855 to 1870. 

Did you know that Napoleon Bonaparte was one of at least 10 royals who remarried? In 2018's "Napoleon: The Man Behind the Myth," Adam Zamoyski examines the life of this famous Emperor of France from a different perspective: was Napoleon really a ruthless quasi-dictator or just an average person caught in corruption?

On The Queen's Reading Room, King Charles describes the book as "A beautifully written and, at times, sympathetic portrait of a remarkable, fascinating and talented man whose fatal hubris eventually destroyed him." Reviews vary, of course, but most of the positive ones seem to share the same view.

"The author was able to deconstruct Napoleon's life piece by piece, separating myth from reality," one Goodreads user wrote in 2019. A 2026 Goodreads review acknowledged, "For the first time I think I have a grasp of Napoleon's personality, motivations, and his shifting understanding of himself and his place in the world."

Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice" is another literary masterpiece you probably read in an English class. First published anonymously in 1813, the romance novel follows Elizabeth Bennet (and her sisters) as the expectation to marry into a wealthy family grows. 

"Pride and Prejudice" has been adapted several times: the 2005 film's marriage proposal scene will always make us cry, and the 1995 BBC series is another classic. We're not the only ones who still have Austen's story in mind. In 2025, Queen Camilla remarked to Lord William Burlington during a Queen's Reading Room event (via BBC), "Maybe, William, we can persuade you to re-enact [a Darcy] scene here to add to the excitement of the day?"

You can probably guess what reviews say about this one: the story, the characters, and Austen's writing are top-tier. One Goodreads user read the novel for the first time in 2025; they admitted, "It was so delightful, my only regret is I waited so long to read it. I was riveted, as riveted as I'd ever been with any contemporary book of any genre."

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's "Half of a Yellow Sun" (2006) is set in the 1960s as the Nigerian Civil War — also known as the Biafran War — erupts. As violence and chaos disrupt everyone's routines and familiarity, the five main characters struggle to adapt and carry on with their lives.

"Half of a Yellow Sun" is not for the faint of heart, although most reviews pay tribute to its heartbreaking complexity. "Ms. Adichie passes the harsh white light of history through the prism of individual experience to create overlapping rainbows of narratives," a Goodreads review from 2015 states. "We are all sitting around a metaphorical campfire, listening to the author telling her story in uncomplicated prose."

"Half of a Yellow Sun" was later turned into a movie, which was released in 2013. The film stars Chiwetel Ejiofor, Thandiwe Newton, Anika Noni Rose, and John Boyega. 

Markus Zusak's "The Book Thief" is one of those novels so poignant that you can read it once, and it will stay with you forever. Originally published in 2005, the historical fiction novel introduces readers to Liesel Meminger, a young girl in Nazi Germany who steals illegal books during World War II. As Liesel learns to read and write, she begins to understand how words and ideas can make a difference. 

"The Book Thief" was adapted into a movie in 2013 with Sophie Nélisse as Liesel; Emily Watson portrays Liesel's adoptive mother, Rosa Hubermann, while Geoffrey Rush portrays her adoptive father, Hans Hubermann. A Broadway adaptation premiered in 2022. 

"This is a book to treasure, a new classic. I absolutely loved it," a Goodreads user reviewed in 2007. "From the very first title page, you know you're in for something very special indeed. Writing like this is not something just anyone can do: it's true art."

The answer is yes: generally speaking, King Charles and Queen Camilla know how to recommend a good piece of literature. With dozens of highlighted books between them, though, how did we curate this list?

First, we browsed all the recommended works on The Queen's Reading Room — "The Book That Changed My Life" is a great documentary, although arguably not as readily accessible to everyone. As we made our way through the seasonal recommendations, we compared books based on a mix of mainstream popularity, cultural significance, and innate individuality. To make sure we knew what we were talking about, we chose books we've either personally read or heard about.

From there, we traveled over to Goodreads for reviews, since the website is specifically made for literary discussion. It's simple: the higher-rated the book, the further down it went on our list. Each book is currently rated at least 3 stars. Happy reading!